Tue, 04.11.2025: Hike in the Fogo Caldera

Impressive hike to Pico Pequenho and across the magma formations of the 2014 eruption. One can still clearly see the different lava formations from the eruption. Vineyards thrive in the volcanic ash, and we will later taste the wine during a sampling. We end the evening under the starry sky at Ramiro’s Bar. Hike: walking time 3-4 hrs, +/- 280 m elevation, moderate hike on a lava surface.

On the walk although it was quite hot some vines were to be seen growing in the lava as on Lanzarote. Remains of other crops such as beans, lemons and avocados could also be seen. At the top we split into 2 equally sized groups, the older and the younger ones. The younger ones went down a lava tunnel and we met them again later. We were not actually split into groups by age but it turned out that way based on what the local guide’s assessment of us.

The afternoon was spent in the sunshine at the very original hotel complex. The conical rooves of the huts are really a veranda with seats and hammocks. I was not sleeping in the hammock, but the huts were in any case not heated so that socks were needed in bed at night. The huts were surrounded by flowers which looked like bush sized rudbeckia and Christmas rose.

We attended an interesting presentation and wine tasting in the evening. The wine grown and produced on the volcano is really of surprisingly good quality and can be bought in restaurants all over Cabo Verde.